A♭ Minor 6th
Also Known As
Hear the A♭ Minor 6th chord played for you.
A♭m6
A♭ – B – E♭ – F
Formula:R-m3-P5-M6
Intervals:P1-m3-P5-M6
Scale Degrees:1-b3-5-6
Introduction
The A♭ Minor 6th chord is a four-note chord made up of A♭, B, E♭, and F. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, and major sixth.
The Ab Minor 6th piano chord (Abm6) consists of the notes Ab, B, Eb, F. It is a minor triad with an added major 6th, giving it a melancholic, bittersweet character. Formula: R-m3-P5-M6 | Scale degrees: 1-b3-5-6.
Notes
A♭ Minor 6th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | Ab – B – Eb – F |
| 1st Inversion | B – Eb – F – Ab |
| 2nd Inversion | Eb – F – Ab – B |
| 3rd Inversion | Ab – B – Eb – F |
Key Signature
The key of Ab Minor 6th has 7 flats.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭
Order of flats
Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭
Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
Chords in the Key of Ab Minor
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the Ab minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — A♭ Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-M6
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-M6
The A♭ Minor 6th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-m3-P5-M6 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-m3-P5-M6 show the distance between each note in the chord.
A♭ Minor 6th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Ab Minor 6th chord?
Abm6 contains: Ab, Cb, Eb, F. Minor triad with major sixth.
How does Abm6 differ from Abm7?
Abm6 has F (major sixth). Abm7 has Gb (minor seventh).
How is Abm6 used?
Descending chromatic line. Jazz tonic. Enharmonic of Fm7b5.
Is Abm6 the same as Fm7b5?
Same notes, different root.
What songs use Minor 6th?
My Funny Valentine pattern.
How does Abm6 differ from Ab6?
Abm6 has minor third (Cb).
Practice Tips
- Descending line: Abm → AbmMaj7 → Abm7 → Abm6.
- Abm6 and Fm7b5 same notes.
- Mostly black keys.
- Bittersweet quality.
- Dorian tonic.
- Compare with Abm7.
Related Tools
Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.